Grahame Morris MP

Save Our Pubs

Easington MP Grahame Morris is calling on the Chancellor to save our pubs on the eve of the budget.

The newly elected Vice-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Save the Pub Group has called on the Government to cancel the 2% above inflation tax rise on beer in the budget, which would result in a 5-10p hike on the price of a pint in the pub.

Speaking on the eve of the budget, Grahame Morris MP said:

“In the North East pubs are closing at an alarming rate of one every fortnight. Rural pubs, those at the heart of our communities, are being hardest hit closing at a rate of six a week.

Good pubs are essential for healthy communities; they allow people of all ages to socialise in a safe and relaxed environment. They are a social hub especially for smaller more isolated communities”

CAMRA, Campaign For Real Ale, are calling on the Government to take action following research showing that 16 pubs now close across the country on a weekly basis.

In just six years there has been a 30% collapse in the volume of beer sold in pubs as more than 7,000 pubs have closed, with off-sales about to overtake beer sale in pubs for the first time ever.

The UK now has the second highest duty on beer in the European Union, paying on average over £1 in beer duty and VAT for every single pint you buy in the pub.

Mr Morris added:

“High beer taxes are forcing people out of pubs into drinking at home. This is not good for the community as we see more alcohol on our streets.

Supermarkets continue to undermine beer sales in community pubs offering alcohol for as little as 50p a pint. This cannot continue if we are to save our Great British pub.

I ask the Chancellor not to price pubs out of the market – give beer a break and cancel the beer duty rise”